At the same time, a sharp sound came from behind the bamboo curtain, and the strings of the zither suddenly snapped.
The beautiful woman behind the curtain stood up and advised in a cool yet gentle tone, "Great hero, you should leave Luoyang as soon as possible, otherwise the authorities will definitely suspect you. At that time, it will be difficult for you to escape."
Upon hearing this, Bai Can's usually carefree expression was somewhat moved. He was used to roaming the martial world and was not afraid of the government, but the girl's concern stirred a sense of heroic spirit within him.
"I, Bai Can, am a real man. If I say I won't leave, I won't leave!" If he leaves, what if the authorities come after Cui Shenghan? He may not be afraid of anything, but Miss Cui absolutely cannot bear such suspicion.
Shui Wu'er coughed. It wasn't his business, it wasn't his business anyway, it was all the hero's business... He tugged at Shui You'er's hand and whispered, "Let's go quickly." He pulled, but couldn't move her, and almost fell to the ground himself.
Shui You'er's eyes shone with an unprecedented masculine passion. He suddenly shook off Shui Wu'er, jumped onto the stool, and said, "Alright, Brother Bai, I, Shui You'er, swear to live and die with you!"
Shui Wu'er was instantly petrified.
Damn it!
It's more like sharing life, but what's so glorious about dying with someone else!
As the group was arguing, a green shadow suddenly flashed by, as nimble as a dragon and as swift as lightning. Before Bai Can could react, a palm wind lashed out like a raging river.
Bai Can hastily parried the attack, but managed to cope with great difficulty. This person was incredibly fast! He tried to block with his sleeve, but the other person could generate energy from his elbow, dispelling his proud sleeve technique and strangely targeting his vital points on the chest. He jumped back in shock, narrowly avoiding the attack, but the other person, like a silken ribbon, coiled around him and climbed upwards.
Bai Can's astonishment grew ever stronger. After several moves, he could only dodge, utterly powerless to retaliate! Although Bai Can was known for his agility in the martial world, his fighting skills were enough to place him among the top twenty martial arts masters. In his more than ten years of wandering the martial world, he had never encountered a master who could force him into such a predicament within just a few moves. What was even more frightening was that this person's every move was unhurried and swift, yet without any killing intent, demonstrating complete control over his internal energy.
Ten moves had passed, and Bai Can was still overwhelmed by the barrage of palm strikes when the man in blue gracefully drifted away, leaping out of the battle circle. Everyone present stared in disbelief.
The head housekeeper, Jinniang, suddenly called out softly. She had spent half her life using her beauty to serve others, and only today did she realize that beauty could reach such a level.
The man in blue had neatly trimmed eyebrows, a high nose, and a full forehead. He exuded a bright and warm aura, like the fresh and moist new buds of trees in springtime, which gently spread out and then blew softly.
His appearance was striking, yet not so striking as to be described as merely striking. He came from a high place among people, not from a low place; he was a pure and beautiful jade, not a gaudy and stubborn rock. He was kind, but without any flattery or affectation.
The man in blue was already seated inside the Peerless Beauty Pavilion, making no attempt to conceal himself, yet no one noticed his presence. However, the moment he appeared, he effortlessly and naturally captured the attention of everyone present.
At this moment, a kind smile played on his lips as he said, "Master Thief Zhi Xiaoyao, please forgive me."
Everyone then came to their senses and gasped in astonishment. So Bai Can was none other than the master thief, Zhi Xiaoyao, from the "Records of Male Beauties in the Martial World," who stole hearts while Xia Ye was drunk! Someone snorted, saying that compared to the man in blue, he was nothing special.
Bai Can's expression hardened: "You are... a government official?"
The man in blue smiled gently: "Not so. Last night, a wealthy family in the north of the city was killed by the assassination organization 'Traceless,' and I investigated all the way here. After hearing what the proprietress said, I decided to test you."
"Try me?" Bai Can was displeased. Beautiful women are often jealous, regardless of gender. "So what did you find out?"
"I can assure you that Brother Bai is not a member of 'Traceless,' and Xu Dade did not die at your hands. Please forgive any slights I may have shown. I am here today because I have obtained reliable evidence that 'Dream', the third-ranked assassin in 'Traceless,' is hiding in this Peerless Beauty Pavilion, and Xu Dade should have died at his hands as well." The man in blue spoke eloquently, without any concealment.
Bai Can, however, was unmoved by his kindness, her face turning slightly pale: "Why tell me about such a major matter?"
"I need your help to find the 'Dream Illusion'."
Bai Can rolled his eyes, about to ask him how he would help, when he saw the man in blue flick his wrist and shoot out a hidden arrow, the tip of which was aimed at the western pavilion.
"No!" Bai Can exclaimed in alarm.
The man in blue robes moved with a slight sway, seemingly about to attack the person inside the elegant pavilion. How could Bai Can allow him to harm Cui Shenghan inside? The two exchanged moves in the blink of an eye.
Just as everyone was in shock, a red figure, taking advantage of the fact that the man in blue and Bai Can's attention were focused on the private room, swiftly swept from the east side towards the entrance.
No one noticed when the red figure had ambushed the east side of the Peerless Beauty Pavilion. At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on the western pavilion, and the timing of the red figure's escape was perfect! As long as she got out of this door, no one would be able to touch the hem of her clothes again.
The red-clad figure moved with graceful agility, about to disappear from everyone's sight, when suddenly she froze, falling straight to the ground. Upon closer inspection, everyone realized that it was the blue-clad man's sharp finger strike from a distance that had struck a pressure point on her knee.
An ordinary person could hardly make such a swift and immediate reaction! The man in blue must have been exceptionally gifted, or he must have anticipated the red figure's move. But how could the man in blue have foreseen that a woman in red would suddenly appear from the east side under such circumstances?
The situation took a sudden turn. Before everyone could react, the man in green was already standing in front of the woman in red—the courtesan Fang Yan Zui—and said gently, "I've heard so much about the third assassin, Mi Meng."
Fang Yanzui raised her contorted face in hatred, her voice no longer soft and sweet: "You, you cheated!"
Xu Dade's head had long been bought for a large sum of money. She had been lying in ambush in this exquisite building for a long time, waiting for yesterday's opportunity to take his life. Who would have thought that in just one day, a master would be there to set a trap for her? She had weathered many storms, yet she had still fallen for the man in blue's trick.
The man in blue smiled without saying a word, but his expression seemed to say, "So what if I cheated?"
On the other side, Bai Can used his palm to lift the bamboo curtain of the elegant pavilion, rolling the sleeve arrow to the other side and nailing it into the wall. Behind the bamboo curtain, Cui Shenghan's jade-like face turned deathly pale, and she fell off the zither seat.
The beauty was terrified. Shui Wu'er couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
Bai Can was panting, staring blankly at the man in blue, unsure how to react.
"Hahaha..." One of the people in the room suddenly burst into loud laughter, banging on the table.
"Brilliant! Brilliant! What a brilliant move to lure the snake out of its hole, a classic case of turning the tables on them!"
It turned out to be that lewd old man who had mocked Bai Can that day.
The man in blue showed no surprise. He cupped his hands and said, "You flatter me, Master Zhang."
This man was none other than Zhang Baitong, a highly respected martial arts master from the Zhang family of Sichuan. In his youth, Master Zhang was known for his unconventional and romantic lifestyle, and even in his old age, his charm remained undiminished.
After laughing, Old Master Zhang said, "Tell me, did you really come to Luoyang to investigate this matter?"
The man in blue blushed slightly: "Seven days from now, my sworn brother will marry the eldest daughter of the Yuwen family at Chuxiu Manor..."
"So you were just passing through Luoyang," Old Master Zhang said, feigning sudden realization. "How come Master Qin is getting married? Such a big event and no one informed me?"
"The invitation has been delivered to the Zhang family in Sichuan, but Old Master Zhang's whereabouts are uncertain..." The man in blue remained respectful. He was very well-mannered, speaking calmly and patiently, clearly a fine young man from a distinguished family.
He bound Fang Yanzui's hands with a soft rope, gave it a gentle tug, and said very politely, "Miss Fang, please."
Two figures, one in green and one in red, walked out the door with great elegance.
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
Shui Wu'er touched the corner of her mouth. "The boundless spring scenery vexes the man in green," she thought, "this is the number one on the list of handsome men in the martial world."
This man had transcended the realms of humans and demons, acquiring a considerable amount of celestial aura. Compared to him, Bai Can's handsomeness seemed somewhat superficial.
He appeared nonchalant just now, but his scheming was terrifyingly deep.
With effortless ease and banter, he had anticipated the actions of everyone present, and from a few words, he had cleverly lured them into a trap. Normally, it would have been difficult for him alone to force Fang Yanzui out, but after only listening to Jinniang and the others, he immediately saw through the ambiguous relationship between Bai Can and Cui Shenghan, and skillfully used it. He made Fang Yanzui, hiding behind the scenes, mistakenly believe that his attention was focused on Cui Shenghan, while Bai Can was diverting attention, thus prompting her to find an opportunity to break free. Everything was so natural and impeccable.
Everything was under his control.
However, the truth is not just that.
Shui Wu'er thought to herself, if she wasn't mistaken, the third assassin, "Misty Dream," should be two people!
Given the man in blue's exceptional intelligence, it's impossible that he didn't know this, yet he simply let the other one go.
The courtesan Cui Shenghan trembled like a pear blossom branch scattered in the wind. She looked up and met the little beggar's thoughtful eyes, and as if burned, she quickly lowered her head again.
Inside the magnificent building, the noise resumed, as if the dramatic turn of events just moments before had been an illusion.
Still shaken, Jinniang cleared her throat and murmured, "Who...who is he?"
Bai Can slowly straightened up: "Besides one person, who else in the martial world can possess such elegance?"
"You mean..." Everyone stared at him in disbelief.
"The boundless spring scenery veils the man in blue. If he isn't the young master in blue from Baili Prefecture, then who else could he be?"
Bai Can suddenly regained his usual jubilant expression and exclaimed, "If I, Bai Can, am not fortunate enough to meet such a person, wouldn't I be unworthy of the title 'Master Thief Zhi Xiaoyao'!" He tapped the table with his toes and, overjoyed, rushed out the door to chase after him.
"I want to go too!" Shui You'er had been hanging out with Bai Can for a few days and had picked up many of Bai Can's bad habits, so she happily ran out with him.
Shui Wu'er could only stomp her feet in frustration.
Chapter Two: No Way to Keep Chuxiu and Chunzhu (Part One)
Half a month later, at Chuxiu Mountain Villa in Hebei.
Chuxiu Manor was celebrating a joyous occasion as its lord, Qin Qiyun, was about to marry Yuwen Cuiyu, the eldest daughter of the Yuwen family. The manor was adorned with flowers and lanterns, and Lord Qin sent out numerous invitations to fellow martial artists to witness the ceremony and attend the banquet. Even Elder Zhang Baitong of the Zhang family from Sichuan traveled a great distance to offer his congratulations, demonstrating the immense prestige the newlyweds had received.
If half of the martial arts practitioners came because of the Yuwen family's prestige, then the other half came because of the Baili family's reputation. Everyone knew that Qin Qiyun himself was merely a minor manor lord, while his sworn brothers were the renowned Four Young Masters of the Baili family. Qin Qiyun was overjoyed today; with the four young masters of the Baili family all present, how could the other martial arts practitioners dare not be absent?
For a century, Baili Prefecture has held a supreme position in the martial arts world. For the past hundred years, whenever disputes or entanglements of love and hate arose in the martial arts community, people would inevitably go to Baili Prefecture to seek justice in court. Baili Prefecture would always handle matters impartially and without bias. Once Baili Prefecture made a ruling, if anyone was dissatisfied, not only would Baili Prefecture possess the absolute power to subdue them, but the entire martial arts world would also absolutely uphold Baili Prefecture's judgment to the very end.
By the time it came to Baili Qingyi, the reputation of the Qingyi Gentleman had spread far and wide. This was not only due to Baili Qingyi's jade-like character, but also to his unparalleled beauty and unfathomable martial arts skills. Even many veteran martial artists admired his reputation.
Therefore, many martial arts practitioners went to Chuxiu Manor for a banquet simply to catch a glimpse of the true face of the young master in blue from Baili Prefecture.
The manor lord, Qin Qiyun, was in his early twenties, with a slender build. However, half of his face was abruptly covered by a mask, and several knife scars lay across the right side of his face, making it impossible to discern his original appearance. He wore a bright red python robe, his face beaming with joy, seemingly unconcerned about making his wedding a grand event for the entire martial arts world.
Outside the manor gate, besides the endless stream of carriages and horses from various martial arts sects, there were also plenty of onlookers. Ordinary people, whose lives lacked excitement, wanted to take this opportunity to see if these so-called martial arts figures were truly superhuman.
Two filthy little beggars nimbly weaved through the crowd, and everyone they touched hurriedly moved aside, naturally making way for them. They easily squeezed to the front.
One of them pulled the other aside and whispered, "Wu'er, this is it! Today is a wedding for a wealthy family; we get to eat the same things the emperor eats!"
"So you know what the emperor eats..." Shui Wu'er murmured.
"I don't know, do you? Humph, I shouldn't have separated from Brother Bai, he made me go hungry for days." He paused, "So, it turns out he's the real master thief!"
Shui Wu'er chuckled, "Yes, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have torn you and Brother Bai apart. Tell me, how are we supposed to get in? We're beggars. What wealthy family invites beggars to their wedding?"
"You don't know this, do you? Let me tell you, today is the wedding of the master of Chuxiu Manor, a grand event in the martial arts world. Even the young master in blue from Baili Prefecture has come. How could the Beggar Clan not be here?"
"You'er, although we are beggars, we are lowly beggars. How could we be qualified to join the Beggars' Sect?"
Shui You'er grinned: "We'll sneak into the Beggars' Gang's ranks during the chaos. With so many beggars, they won't be able to tell we're imposters."
“But…” Shui Wu’er still hesitated. This kind of martial arts gathering was not like petty theft. If she were discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"But what? You don't want roast chicken anymore? Don't worry, at worst you'll get caught and beaten up again. I'm tough as nails, I'll definitely stand in front of you and not let you suffer." Shui You'er patted her chest with great confidence.
“You…sigh…” Shui Wu’er sighed helplessly; this wasn’t the first time this had happened.
"Look, look! The Beggars' Clan is here! Wu'er, stay close to me and don't get lost!" Shui You'er carefully instructed, then took his hand and squeezed into the crowd.
Shui Wu'er nodded, but her gaze drifted to the group following behind the Beggars' Clan. The uniform red clothes and red scarves were the attire of the Qiao Clan, the second largest gang in the martial arts world, and the leader was none other than Qiao Fenglang, the leader of the Qiao Clan.
Qiao Fenglang, barely in his twenties, inherited his father's business and took command of the Qiao Clan, becoming one of the most watched young heroes in the martial arts world in recent years. He possessed a somewhat exotic appearance, refined and elegant, ranking third in the "Records of Handsome Men in the Martial Arts World." The phrase "like a bright moon on a cool autumn day" perfectly describes him. His appearance was more individualistic than Bai Can's, yet less refined than Baili Qingyi's.
Shui Wu'er shook his head. What was he doing? He didn't write "The Record of Male Beauties in the Martial World".
Following them were the four young masters of the Baili family.
Everyone present gasped.
You have such a great temperament...
The one leading the group was indeed the man in blue from the same brothel, with the same smile on his face, both kind and aloof.
The master of ceremonies at the entrance raised his voice: "Lu Kunchong, the nine-bag elder of the Beggars' Sect; Qiao Fenglang, the leader of the Qiao Clan; and He, the young master of the Baili Prefecture, in green robes, cold robes, iron robes, and black robes!"
Inside the wedding hall, wine cups clinked and laughter filled the air. Seated at the head of the table was the matriarch of the Yuwen family, Su Guijun, followed by elders from other martial arts families. Baili Qingyi, as the head of Qin Qiyun's side, was seated somewhat lower down.